Collagenase Treatment of Diabetes

Currently, there is no cure for diabetes, but there is hope in a new treatment called pancreatic islet cells transplantation that uses collagenase enzymes.

History

• Pancreatic islet cell transplantation became a viable way of restoring the pancreases' ability to create insulin in the 1970's, but issues with tissue rejection have to be addressed before it becomes a diabetes cure.

What is Collagenase?

• Collagenase enzymes break down a cell's peptide bonds. Peptide bonds help to glue cells together. When this break down happens, it allows scientist to harvest cells from organs and other body tissue without damaging the cells internal functions.

Collagenase's Use in Transplants

• Collagenase is used in the process of harvesting transplantable pancreatic islet cells. The donor pancreas organ is processed using collagenase treatment to "digest" the organ, which breaks it down into cell islets.

Cell Islet Transplantation

• Cell islet transplantation is still in research, but it has the potential to become possible cure for diabetes. The procedure allows for the implantation of cell islets into the portal vein of the pancreases. These new cells help repair the pancreases' ability to product insulin.

Still in Research

• Cell islet transplantation is still in its human trials. A problem with this cure is the limited supply of insulin-producing pancreatic organs available for harvesting cell islets.